Nature Air and the Costa Rican National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) have joined forces to offer travelers one-of-a-kind vacation itineraries that promote hands-on learning and rich natural experiences. By combining INBio’s vast knowledge of biodiversity and expert field guides with Nature Air’s reputation for sustainability and excellent customer service, the small-group packages will center on biological events, such as turtle nesting or avian migrations.
The initial product launch is a series of “eco-extensions”, which are two night itineraries centered on important biological events that can be added to any Costa Rica vacation itinerary during specific months of the year. From now through May, visitors can opt to seek out the resplendent quetzal, an elusive bird known for its iridescent bluish-green feathers and divine representation in indigenous folklore. Both packages depart from San José, Costa Rica and include ground transfers, a two-night stay in a sustainable hotel and a guided quetzal tour.
Known by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs as a symbol for goodness, the quetzal measures about 15 inches in length with 26-inch-long green tail feathers. The bird can be spotted in the Costa Rican cloud forests of Monteverde, Cerro de la Muerte and five other national reserves during their nesting season.
Nature Air has been a longtime supporter of the Costa Rica Bird Observatories, a scientific program that studies birds and run by INBio, the US Forest Service and the Klamath Bird Observatory.
Example package:
Stay at the Villa Blanca Hotel in San Ramon 2 nights in double Superior Casita with breakfast included and round trip ground transfer from San Jose to hotel. Cloud forest nature walk and Quetzal tour. ($456 per person, double occupancy, through Nov. 30, 2012).
More vacation packages >>
Photo credit: Pablo Elizondo (INBio)
Posted by csaylor on Mon, Apr 9, 2012
Filed Under | Biodiversity, Bird Watching, Travel Blog, Words from the Hangar